Apparatus for regenerating electrolytes.



No. 844,814. I PATENTED FEB. 19, 1907.

L. H. BABKELAND.

, APPARATUS FOR REGBNERATING vELEG'IYROL YI'ES.

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M Lac; N. fiav/kvL -uk rmrra sra ras FATE LEO 11. BAEKELAND, OF roNKERs, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO DEVELOP- MENT AND FUNDING COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patents Patented Feb. 19, 1907.

Application filed February 16, 1906- Serial No. 301,420.

caustic soda, and for supplying the same un- I der constant pressure to the electrolytic cells. It is established that in the electrolysis of chlorid solutions, as sodium chlorid, the cells operate to better advantage and with higher efliciency if the electrolyte be maintained at all times substantially saturated. Furthermore, it, is advantageous to maintain a regular circulation of the electrolyte through the anode-compartment of the cells and to separate therefrom suspended impurities. My

2. 5 apparatus is intended to accomplish these re- .sults, to provide a regular brine-supply under constant pressure to the cells, and to effect other results, as hereinafter set forth..

For a full understanding of my invention 0 reference is made to the accompanying drawing, showing in vertical section a preferred form of my apparatus. i 1 represents a covered regenerating-tank of size proportionate to the volume of electrolyte to be treated and constructed of material which is substantially unaffected by chlorinatedbrine. I prefer to construct this tank of slate or of concrete lined with slate, the joints being waterproofed by an, acid- 4o proof cementing material, such as pitch or asphalt. It may be here stated that all portions of the tank and its appurtenances, as

well as of the circulating system, should be constructed of acid-proof stoneware, hard rubber, or other material not injuriously affected by chlorinated brine. A false bottom 2 is suitably supported, as by blocks 3, above the tank-bottom and is provided with a multiplicity of apertures 4.- This false bottom may consist of perforated slate, as shown, of

spaced parallel bars or strlps, of dramerblocks such as are commonly used n pulp manufacture, or of equivalent material's? Over this false bottom I preferably distribute acid-proof gravel or crushed stone 5, upon which I may, if desired, spread a layer 6 of sand. This serves to support a bed 7 of salt, which should be of a high degree of purity and which is replenished as dissolved. The thickness of the layer of gravel or of gravel and sand may. vary according to requirements, and any equivalent permeable support for the salt may be substituted therefor.

8 represents the inletipe of a rotary pump 9, a cockbeing pre erably interposed between the pump and the tank. This pump discharges through pipe 10 into a supplytank 11, serving as a source of en ply through outflow-pipe 12 to the severe electrolytic cells and located at a height sufficient to give the pressure re uired. The supply-tank 11 is provided wit an overflow, whereby any excess of liquid above that required for the cells is returned through pipe 13 to the side of the tank 1 opposite to the pipe 8. The pump 9 should have a capacity somewhat exceeding the maximum re uirements of the cells. Tank 1 is provide with a liquidsealed overflow 14, and I preferably provide also a safety overflow-pipe 15, extending from the horizontal member of pipe 13 to a point somewhat above the level of the overflow 14, but below the top of the tank.

The chlorinated and spent brine from the electrolytic cells is permitted to flow to the regenerating-tank 1 through a'conduit 16, discharging into a well 17 within the tank. The construction is such as to permit the free escape of chlorin dissolved or otherwise conveyed by the liquid in conduit 16, and a branch pipe 18 is provided for conveying the separated chlorin to the bleach-chambers or other points of utilization.

The salt is introduced, preferably continuously, through a charging-hopper 19, which extends below the normal liquid surface. A sealing-well 20 surrounds the lower portion of the sealed inlet and serves to prevent escape of chlorin therethrough in case the liquid is withdrawn from the tank. The salt is introduced to hopper 19 through a trough or chute 21, which may be of wood, and is conveyed bysaturated brine in quantity sufficient to maintain the proper volume of llqmd in the system. This brine flowing upwardly from the sealing-wall 20 into the body of the tank 1 carries with it the salt and distributes the same over the surface of its supporting bed. It will be noted that the decanted or filtered from the precipitate.

' In such case it is desirable to neutralize any alkalinity by the addition of hydrochloric acid in theoretical proportions or in slight excessthereof.- I have indicated for this purpose an acid-supply 22, arranged above the chute 1 and discharging into the brineflow ing therein. Acid introduced into the brine at this oint is quickly and thoroughly commingled therewith. 23 represents an aperture, normally closed, of which a number may be provided for-the purpose of flushing out the tank 1 when required. 24 are similar apertures for the flushing out of impurities which may have accumulated on thetop of the filtering-bed. I

I claim.

1; Apparatus for regenerating electrolytes comprisiri-g a regenerating-tank, means for supporting a body of salt therein, and meansfor circulating electrolyte transversely through-said tank beneath said body, substantially'as described. I

2. Apparatus for regenerating electrolytes comprising a regenerating-tank, means. for supporting a body of salt therein, means for circulating electrolyte through said tank beneath said body, and means for introducing spent electrolyte into said tank above said body, substautiallyias described.

3. Apparatus for regenerating electro- I lytes comprising a regenerating-tank for supporting, a bod of salt, an elevated supplytank, a circu' ating system including said tanks, and a brine-outflow pipe leading from said supply-tank, substantially as described.

4. Apparatus for I regenerating electrolytes comprising a regenerating-tank, means -for supporting a body of salt therein, an elevated supply-tank, and means for circulating electrolyte in succession transversely beneath said body of saltand through said supply tank, substantially as described;

5. Apparatus for regenerating electrolytes comprising a regenerating-tank, means for supporting a body of salt therein, an elevated supply-tank, means forcirculating transversely said body of salt, and through said supplytank, and means for supplyingispent-electro lyte to said tank above said body of salt, sub-.

stantially as described.

' 6. Apparatus for regenerating electro-' lytes com rising a regenerating-tankfor containing a ody of salt, a sealed. inlet therefor, and means for supplying a mixture of brine and salt through said inlet, substantially as described. i

7. Apparatus for regenerating electrolytes comprising a regenerating-tank for containing a ody of salt, a sealed inlet therefor, means for supplying a mixtureiof brine and salt through sair inlet, and-a distributing device beneath said inlet, substantially as de 7 scribed. I I

8. Apparatus for regenerating electrolytes comprising a regenerating-tankxfor containing a body of salt, a sealed inlet for spent brine, anda gas-escape connected with. said inlet, substantially as described.

'9. Apparatus for regenerating electro- I lytes comprising a closed regenerating-tank, a sealed overflow therefor, and a safet 0verflow arranged'to discharge above sai sealed overflow, substantially as described. I

.10. Apparatus for regenerating electro; v

lytes comprisinga closed regenerating=t=ank a sealed overflow -'-therefor, a sealed inlet'for' spent brine, and ages-escape connected with said inlet, substantially as described. I

11. Apparatus for regeneratingaelectrolytes comprising a regenerating-tankfor containing a body of salt, said tank haying an overflow and an inlet for spent brine, a gasescape connected with saidinlet,-an elevated suppl tank, a brine-supply pipe leading there rom, and means for circi'ilatmgelectrolyte successively through said regenerating and supply tanks, substantially as described.

12. Apparatus for regenerating ;ele'ctrolytes comprising a regeneratingtank, said tank having an overflow and. an inletrf'or.

spent brine, a gas-escape connected with said inlet, means'for' 'supporting a body of salt in said regenerating-tank, an elevated supply-tank, a brine-supply pie leading therefrom, and means for circu ati-ng electrolyte in succession beneath said body of tially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflfix my signature in presence of two. witnesses.- I

Witnesses:

, MELVIN-"Brenna,

FONIUM G. ANDERSON. I

salt and through said supply-tank, substan- LEO H..BAEKELAND.- M j 

